The trips worth taking. Priced in points.

destination.com editorial · 5 min read

Why I stopped chasing status.

A hundred and twelve nights at Marriott, a Diamond card that meant nothing at the front desk in Kyoto, and the trip that finally sorted my priorities.

destination.com editorial · 6 min read

On the math of annual fees.

The chart tells you the ceiling. Your calendar tells you the floor. Most people read the chart and then quietly disappoint themselves for a year.

destination.com editorial · 7 min read

Flexible points are almost always the answer.

Airline miles feel free until the day the airline decides they aren't. Flexible currencies aren't sentimental. That's the whole feature.

destination.com editorial · 6 min read

The welcome-bonus paradox.

The biggest single number in the first year is also the number that quietly warps every decision after it. Here is what actually helps.

destination.com editorial · 6 min read

When not to use points.

Every flight-search product I know is designed to help you spend miles. This one is designed to help you save them, and I am not sure I will ever be forgiven for it.

Star Alliance

Air Canada Aeroplan

Best-in-class Star Alliance award chart with distance-based pricing and no fuel surcharges on most partners.

SkyTeam

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

Monthly "Promo Rewards" — 25-50% off partner awards for a full month. Set the calendar reminder.

Oneworld

Alaska Mileage Plan

Cathay, JAL, and Qantas partner awards at rates the operating carriers themselves can't match.

Oneworld

American AAdvantage

Cathay Pacific, Qatar Qsuite, and British Airways partner awards — some of the strongest sweet spots left.

Star Alliance

ANA Mileage Club

Round-the-world awards and outsized value on ANA business — but only via ANA direct, not through partners.

Oneworld

British Airways Avios

Short-haul Oneworld awards (AA domestic, Iberia intra-Europe) at prices the operating carriers charge triple for.

SkyTeam

Delta SkyMiles

Flash sales and last-minute Delta One awards — but never routine value; expect to spend heavily.

Star Alliance

United MileagePlus

Star Alliance partner space when you can find it — Lufthansa First, Turkish Airlines, ANA economy.

SkyTeam

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

ANA business (90K round-trip, non-Virgin metal), Delta One partner space, and outsized short-haul redemptions.

Hilton Honors

Aspirational Conrad and Waldorf redemptions, plus the 5th-night-free stack with Hilton status.

IHG One Rewards

Kimpton, InterContinental, and the underrated annual 4th-night-free award benefit.

Marriott Bonvoy

Volume — the largest hotel footprint in the world, plus the 5th-night-free perk on award stays.

World of Hyatt

The best hotel-award value in the industry — Category 1-4 free nights, Park Hyatts at points, Globalist perks.